Bridge CRPD-SDGs is an intensive training programme that aims to support organisations of persons with disabilities (DPOs) and disability rights advocates to develop an inclusive (all persons with disabilities) and comprehensive (all human rights) CRPD perspective on development, including the post-2015 agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to reinforce their advocacy for inclusion and realisation of rights of persons with disabilities.

BRIDGE CRPD-SDG is a unique inclusive capacity development initiative between the International Disability Alliance (IDA) and the International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC), with support from the Disability Rights Fund, with the aim to supporting DPOs activist to develop an inclusive (all persons with disabilities) and comprehensive (all human rights) CRPD perspective on development, including the agenda 2030 and sustainable development goals (SDGs), and to reinforce their advocacy for inclusion and realization of right of persons of persons with disabilities.

BRIDGE CRPD-SDG was devised to respond to increasing demands for trainings on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and inclusive development, and how these link to achieving Agenda 2030 and the SDGs. It is a coordinated training investment, drawing from the resources and experiences of the IDA and IDDC networks and their members.

So far, more than 140 DPO’s leaders, staff and activists have been trained with 5 cycles completed in South East Asia, Latin America, Indonesia, East and West Africa and the Pacific. This is the first IDA-IDDC initiative that aligns the work of the CRPD and the 2030 Agenda, bringing together a broader range of disability and development organisations.

The BRIDGE CRPD-SDG curriculum is very diverse, and includes SDG, inclusive development, core CRPD content, legal harmonisation, budget advocacy, data and indicators for planning, implementing and monitoring CRPD and SDGs.

The BRIDGE SDGs CRPD Training
Module 1 focuses on inclusive understanding of CRPD and analysing key development sectors from a CRPD perspective. Module 2 focuses on applying this understanding and analysis via the diverse advocacy routes.

The Training of Trainers (ToT)
Module A focuses on in-depth understanding and capacity to explain the core of the CRPD, with Module B covering issues related to public policy and governance for CRPD and inclusive SDG implementation in different development contexts. The ToT is aimed to provide the trainers with the experience of facilitating sessions, following by sessions on inclusive facilitation.

In addition, trainees also participate as co-facilitators in full cycle of BRIDGE CRPD SDGs, write a policy paper on a key CRPD-SDGs topic, have active involvement in submission for treaty bodies, UPR or HLPF country review, with support from trainers, and may provide distance support on technical mentoring for 18 months. 

The current major funders of the Bridge initiative are:

  • The Big Lottery Fund is funding CBM to implement a project called “Supporting disabled people to improve their livelihoods in East Africa, in partnership with IDA and ADF. The total amount of the project is 393453 £ and covers 2 full Bridge training cycles in Uganda and Tanzania.
  • Through the Catalyst Project (Jan 2017-Mar 2020), DFID is funding the Bridge initiative for a total amount of £  257 927,73.
  • Through the project “Making the most of the Sustainable Development Goals to ensure the realisation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Jan 2018-Dec 2020), the MoFA Finland is funding the Bridge initiative for a total amount of 330,000 EUR.